RV Shocks. Who is using them and how do you like them?

[Cate&Rob]

@Cate&Rob I know you have done some shock tuning work in the past. What do you think about Lippert's mounting strategy?

Hi Jim,

I didn't chime in on this because you were specifically looking for feedback from those who had installed dampers (shocks). This was high on my suspension "wish list" until I researched it a bit. I had the opportunity to discuss the Joyrider system with Sonny Dismuke (designer of the Joyrider product) at a Grand Design Rally, a few years ago.

As you mention, I have some experience in damper tuning. On a car/truck, both jounce and rebound rates are tuned to the specific expectations of the vehicle. Corvette on one end of the scale and (old) Cadillac on the other end of the scale. I was surprised to learn from Sonny that the exact same damper is used on all Joyrider kits, regardless of sprung weight, unsprung weight or damping expectation. This doesn't make sense to me. Of all the kits, I do like the way the Joyrider product gets the damper as vertical as possible. This is the motion direction that (theoretically) needs to be damped. I don't like the way significant size holes are drilled in the lower flange of the trailer frame I beams. Most of the load carrying strength of these frames is in the lower flanges.

So . . . I got Cate to video the side of the trailer in her mirror as we travelled a relatively rough (Michigan ) interstate. I have never been able to see the expected cycle of an un-damped suspension on our Reflection 5th wheel (like you would expect from a vehicle with worn shocks) in my mirror, so I thought that I would be able to see this more clearly by studying a video. It is just not there! I don't fully understand how the cushioned equalizer damps this out . . . but, it does.

Bottom line . . . I decided not to drill significant size holes in my frame rails to install a "one size fits all" damper system to "fix" a problem that I can't see.

Just my (somewhat experienced) 2 cents worth.

Rob

[Ed & Cathy K]

I had the shocks ordered and waiting when I brought the rig home. Shocks were the first upgrade, I went with Joy Riders. I finished up the install late on a Saturday. A few parts were left over that was on the instructions. Sunday I took another look in the daylight and a nights sleep. I gave rvimprovementsystems a call expecting to leave a message about the extra parts. To my surprise Sonny answered the phone. All was well as I have a newer revised mounts that didn't require the parts, they had been accidentally packaged at the factory. On the trip home from the dealers one the sink covers ended up in the floor. After shocks I traveled the same road with a roll of paper towels on the island, and it didn't fall. We travel with the Keurig and ice maker on our hutch all the time with no problems.

[Guest]

Was going to contact LCI on Monday with the shock question but no need. Both the 3" and 2 3/8 axle tubes use the same shock part number (177734) as found in the installation instructions. So there is most certainly no specific shock tuning for each axle size or per mass, but rather a one fits all.

[Guest]

I Imagine I would be interested in those videos. (Sorry - I couldn't help myself.)

Rob

Rob,

It will be a shocking video.

Jim

[Second Chance]

Howard,

Sure I can be the guinea pig for the Imagine. I may be able to acquire (may since this expensive and borrowed) some data acquisition equipment so we will see. At a minimum, I will be able to gather before and after video of the underside of the rig on the same section of road.

Jim

I Imagine I would be interested in those videos. (Sorry - I couldn't help myself.)

Rob

[Guest]

Howard,

Sure I can be the guinea pig for the Imagine. I may be able to acquire (may since this equipment is expensive and borrowed) some data acquisition equipment so we will see. At a minimum, I will be able to gather before and after video of the underside of the rig on the same section of road.

Jim

[howson]

Howard,

From your pics I see MORryde uses shocks with their IS system. I'm sure the use of shock on the IS helps a great deal. For these heavy rigs, the issues of not having shocks differs from autos. Rarely do the wheels leave the ground on a trailer as in a auto or truck due to such heavy loading. This also applies with wheel balancing, but I do it. This damping can smooth things out as the coach moves in the vertical direction. For my Imagine, I have a fairly soft suspension and rather than move to heavier springs as in the new models, I'm thinking of adding the shocks to help stabilize that vertical motion. My rig rides great but on those sinusoidal roads, this vertical motion of the trailer can be a PITA.

Jim

As I was doing chores it dawned on me that you had an Imagine--the IS would be overkill for that trailer (7850 GVWR). My 315's 10,995 is probably the lowest GVWR for something as robust as the IS, especially considering the cost.

Bottom line: you'll be the shock pioneer for the Imagine crowd. I'm sure lots of folks are going to be interested in your results.

[Guest]

I'd considered them, Jim, but as you know decided to just get the IS based off of Second Chance Rob's experience and others. "Cry once"...and boy did I when I paid the bill...

Howard,

From your pics I see MORryde uses shocks with their IS system. I'm sure the use of shock on the IS helps a great deal. For these heavy rigs, the issues of not having shocks differs from autos. Rarely do the wheels leave the ground on a trailer as in a auto or truck due to such heavy loading. This also applies with wheel balancing, but I do it. This damping can smooth things out as the coach moves in the vertical direction. For my Imagine, I have a fairly soft suspension and rather than move to heavier springs as in the new models, I'm thinking of adding the shocks to help stabilize that vertical motion. My rig rides great but on those sinusoidal roads, this vertical motion of the trailer can be a PITA.

Jim

[howson]

Wow no feedback. I will plan to install them and will provide feedback if any ride improvement has been achieved.

I'd considered them, Jim, but as you know decided to just get the IS based off of Second Chance Rob's experience and others. "Cry once"...and boy did I when I paid the bill...

[Guest]

Wow no feedback. I will plan to install them in early summer and will provide feedback on any ride improvement. Each has their benefits where I prefer the frame mounting of the Lippert shock kit but am also curious on their mounting angle strategy. Thinking they may be trying to dampen the vertical as well as the motion of the axle in articulation but at this time I can only suspect this is their strategy.

My imagine is sort of an odd case with 3 inch axles so the kit I would be purchasing would be for 3 inch axles which is generally categorized for the 5000 - 8000 axle capacities so it will be interesting just how these shocks respond.

@Cate&Rob I know you have done some shock tuning work in the past. What do you think about Lippert's mounting strategy?

[Guest]

Would like to hear from folks in how they like their shocks after installation. Looking at the Joyrider and Lippert kits. Each has there pros and cons where feedback would be helpful based on actual usage.

See installation instructions from several manufacturers.

Dexter Shock Installation.pdf Joy_Rider_Installation.pdf Lippert Shock Installation.pdf Roadmaster Installation.pdf